Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

Treatment for small cell lung cancer has not improved substantially in the past 15 years. Some advances are being made in supportive care and by use of more intense concurrent thoracic radiotherapy. New agents such as the taxanes and the topoisomerase I inhibitors hold promise and are currently in phase III evaluation. The question whether dose intensity can improve the outcome of patients with small cell lung cancer has been raised for many years. Improving supportive care enhances our ability to test this question more thoroughly. This paper reviews the historical and current experience using high-dose therapy with hematopoietic stem cell support for the treatment of small lung cancer. Future directions are identified.